To provide for an interpretive center at the Civil War Battlefield of Corinth, Mississippi, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 22, 1993

Mr. WHITTEN introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To provide for an interpretive center at the Civil War Battlefield of Corinth, Mississippi, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Corinth, Mississippi, Battlefield Act of 1993’.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

(a) FINDINGS- Congress finds that--

(1) the 14 sites located in the vicinity of Corinth, Mississippi, that were designated as a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of the Interior in 1991 represent nationally significant events in the Siege and Battle of Corinth during the Civil War; and

(2) the Landmark sites should be preserved and interpreted for the benefit, inspiration, and education of the people of the United States.

(b) PURPOSE- It is the purpose of this Act to provide for a center for the interpretation of the Siege and Battle of Corinth and other Civil War actions in the region and to enhance public understanding of the significance of the Corinth Campaign in the Civil War relative to the Western theater of operations, in cooperation with State or local governmental entities and private organizations and individuals.

SEC. 3. ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY AT CORINTH, MISSISSIPPI.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this Act as the ‘Secretary’) shall acquire by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange, such lands and interest in lands in the vicinity of the Corinth Battlefield, in the State of Mississippi, as the Secretary determines to be necessary for the construction of an interpretive center to commemorate and interpret the 1862 Civil War Siege and Battle of Corinth.

(b) PUBLICLY OWNED LANDS- Lands and interests in lands owned by the State of Mississippi or a political subdivision of the State of Mississippi may be acquired only by donation.

SEC. 4. INTERPRETIVE CENTER AND MARKING.

(a) GENERAL AUTHORITY-

(1) CONSTRUCTION OF CENTER- The Secretary shall construct, operate, and maintain on the property acquired under section 3 a center for the interpretation of the Siege and Battle of Corinth and associated historical events for the benefit of the public.

(2) DESCRIPTION- The center shall contain approximately 5,300 square feet, and include interpretive exhibits, an auditorium, a parking area, and other features appropriate to public appreciation and understanding of the site.

(b) MARKING- The Secretary may mark sites associated with the Siege and Battle of Corinth National Historic Landmark, as designated on May 6, 1991, if such sites are determined by the Secretary to be protected by State or local governmental agencies.

(c) ADMINISTRATION- The lands and interests in lands acquired, and the facilities constructed and maintained pursuant to this Act shall be administered by the Secretary as a part of Shiloh National Military Park, subject to the appropriate laws and regulations applicable to the park, the Act of August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535, chapter 408; 16 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), and the Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666, chapter 593; 16 U.S.C. 461 et seq.).

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) IN GENERAL- Subject to subsection (b), there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.

(b) CONSTRUCTION- Of the amounts made available to carry out this Act, not more than $6,000,000 may be used to carry out section 4(a).